In a joint statement released by Chinese state television CCTV, the three countries affirmed that diplomacy and dialogue based on mutual respect is the only way to resolve Iran's nuclear issue.

They stressed that relevant parties need to "eliminate the root causes" of tensions, and end sanctions and military pressure on Tehran.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, along with his Russian and Iranian counterparts Sergei Ryabkov and Kazem Gharibabadi, stressed the importance of UN Resolution 2231, calling on relevant parties to avoid escalation and create favorable conditions for dialogue.

The meeting took place shortly after US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei via the UAE, proposing to resume negotiations on the nuclear program.

Mr Trump warned that if Tehran refused, the US could be forced to “step in militarily”. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected the idea, saying Iran would not negotiate under pressure or orders from Washington.

Tensions between Iran and the US escalated after the US, along with France, Britain, Greece, Panama and South Korea, held a closed-door meeting at the United Nations Security Council to discuss Tehran's nuclear program.

Iran has condemned the move as an abuse of power, while China has also criticised the move, saying the council's hasty intervention does not help the peace process.

Iran has repeatedly insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and is monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, the IAEA recently warned that Iran is accelerating its uranium enrichment process to levels that could be used to build nuclear weapons.

In February, the Trump administration relaunched a campaign of “maximum pressure” to strangle Iran’s economy, including restrictions on oil exports, in an effort to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. In response, Iran has said the United States is responsible for the current situation, having unilaterally withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the United States to show "sincerity" and return to the negotiating table with Iran without imposing demands. He stressed that only when all parties respect each other can dialogue bring about a lasting solution to the Iran nuclear issue.

Hoai Phuong (according to CCTV, SCMP, Reuters)